Data Core Systems takes on CyDEx 2023: Romania’s largest cybersecurity exercise

Participating in CyDEx 2023 was a remarkable experience that allowed Data Core Systems to showcase our commitment to the field of cyber security. We were honored to be part of Romania’s largest national cyber security exercise, which unfolded at Casa Presei Libere in Bucharest from October 17th to 19th. More than 500 people attended this event, representing both public and private organizations. It gave us a great chance to put our skills to the test and learn more about this dynamic field.

CyDEx 2023, hosted by the National CYBERINT Center, it was a hands-on event, focused on practical, real-world experience, which added an extra layer of authenticity to the challenges presented. We participated in four out of the six complex scenarios featured in the exercise, each meticulously designed to push the boundaries of our technical skills and our understanding of cyber security.

Live Fire: Our team was assigned a dedicated network segment to secure, a task that required us to prevent, detect, investigate, and mitigate any potential vulnerabilities and cyber threats. It was a high-stakes test of our capabilities.

Android: This scenario involved the meticulous forensic analysis of a mobile phone, putting our digital sleuthing skills to the test.

OneMan: This scenario was designed for individuals without prior incident response experience, giving our team member the chance to prove his problem-solving abilities.

One of the most exciting parts of the competition was the “Attack and Defense” scenario, reminiscent of the popular “Capture the Flag” (CTF) style. It challenged our team to find JWT codes obtained from exploiting vulnerabilities, with total scores comprising offensive, defensive, and service availability points.

CyDEx 2023 had a clear mission – to test our nation’s defense capabilities against threats to IT&C infrastructures critical to our national security. The initiative is aligned with the Romanian Intelligence Service’s vision to establish an effective mechanism for cyber incident warning, alert, and response. It also underscores the importance of forging stronger ties between the public and private sectors in the realm of cyber security.

We’re honored to have been a part of this essential exercise for national cyber security. Our involvement reaffirms our commitment to furthering cyber security, not just in Romania but on a global scale. As we continue to learn and grow in this field, we’re excited to contribute to a safer and more secure cyber environment.